OK to Mount Hydraulic Steering Rams on Deck?

[Chotu]

Do those with kickup rudders have their hydraulic steering rams mounted outside on deck?

No corrosion worries?

Planning my install.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Do those with kickup rudders have their hydraulic steering rams mounted outside on deck?

No corrosion worries?

Planning my install.

I don't think you will have any issues if you get the right ones.
Possibly look into what the fishing industry uses on trawlers. They have tons of hydraulic cranes and similar in use.
Their stuff needs to be really corrosion proof.
Similar actuators from construction equipment and trucks, it's often in the salt spray of highways in winter.

[Chotu]

Thank you. That’s what I’m hoping.

These are the ones I got:

Seastar HC5314-3 Inboard BA150-7ATM Hydraulic Boat Steering Cylinder

https://www.seatechmarineproducts.co...-cylinder.html

Just no mention anywhere about their intended installation location.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Thank you. That’s what I’m hoping.

These are the ones I got:

Seastar HC5314-3 Inboard BA150-7ATM Hydraulic Boat Steering Cylinder

https://www.seatechmarineproducts.co...-cylinder.html

Just no mention anywhere about their intended installation location.

Write them an email? Call them?
And by all means let us know their reply :-)

[Pete7]

Lots of open decked powerboats and ribs using Seastar kits, not a problem. Just keep the rams clean when possible so the outer seal doesn't collect salt crystals.

Pete

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Write them an email? Call them?
And by all means let us know their reply :-)

Already did that.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Lots of open decked powerboats and ribs using Seastar kits, not a problem. Just keep the rams clean when possible so the outer seal doesn't collect salt crystals.

Pete

Ok great! This is good to know.

Maybe a fresh water wash down after any passages and wipe down the rams with a light oil occasionally?

[hurricanehole]

Hi. New hydraulic system on my cat. Vetus. The ram sits on top of aft deck in front of aft crossbeam with a box over as cover. Anyway, here’s the head scratching uh oh part. Noticed the other day a manual sentence saying don’t install in a damp location.

[rslifkin]

If you're concerned, make covers to go over them and make sure they have boots on the pistons. That'll minimize salt and spray getting onto the rams and beating up the seals or causing corrosion. Just periodically pull the covers, slide the boots back to inspect and clean as needed.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

If you're concerned, make covers to go over them and make sure they have boots on the pistons. That'll minimize salt and spray getting onto the rams and beating up the seals or causing corrosion. Just periodically pull the covers, slide the boots back to inspect and clean as needed.

Boots!!! A great idea!

Like the boots on the forks of a dirt bike which has the same type of ram.

I’ll definitely do this.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Boots!!! A great idea!

Like the boots on the forks of a dirt bike which has the same type of ram.

I’ll definitely do this.

Yup, exactly like that. Most steering rams I see for sale don't have them, but interestingly my mid 80s vintage double-ended Hynautic ram does have boots on both ends (it's got a rudder connected to each end of the ram). It sits pretty low in the aft bilge (which isn't perfectly dry due to stuffing box drips, etc.) so it's definitely gotten bits of salty, wet exposure over time. The outside of the unit shows a bit of corrosion, but nothing terrible. Under the boots, the rods look brand new despite 36 years of use, most of that in salt water.

[Scubaseas]

The sea star rams on my outboards live outside all year.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Scubaseas

The sea star rams on my outboards live outside all year.

Thank you!

I’m glad to hear this is ok.

[TedCG1]

My Nimble Arctic 25 has a little Vetus piston mounted on the aft deck, out in the weather. It was a little leaky, but still functional, when we bought the boat. I was able to get it rebuilt at a local hydraulic supply outfit, for very small money. Years on, still going strong. I do pay attention to keeping the exposed part of the piston clean and smooth, when washing down the boat.
+1 for scubaseas, outboard steering rams spend all their lives in weather and spray.

[Matt Johnson]

Based on a previous photo you posted, it seemed like you could internally install the cylinder in the transom and have a linkage lead to the tiller. This could be done with a drag link or directly with one of the cylinders designed for transom hung rudders like:

https://www.vetus.com/en/vetus-hydra...g-rudders.html

Lecomble and Schimmt also make one that was used on Mini Transpac boats with great success.